Howie joins talks about law enforcement, race relations

Wahkiakum County Sheriff Mark Howie wasn't about to let a recent knee surgery get in the way. He was going to join some of his peers on a trip to the Seattle area to meet with members of the Seahawks Organization to talk about law enforcement and race relations.

"If I had to show up in a wheelchair," Howie said, "I was going to show up in a wheelchair."

It all started when San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the national anthem. Later, the Seattle Seahawks chose to link arms in a show of unity.

In response, the Washington State Sheriff's Association drafted a letter to the Seahawks Organization. They wanted to know what they could do, according to Howie.

About four weeks later, they got a response. Wide receiver Doug Baldwin and other members from the Seahawks Organization wanted to meet.

So that's how Howie, along with four other sheriffs from Cowlitz, Lewis, Skagit and Clark counties recently found themselves at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton talking with Baldwin and four other representatives.

"Doug Baldwin did a good job facilitating the meeting," Howie said. "It felt safe. Everybody talked from the heart about their experience."

According to Howie, the group agreed that what was said at the meeting would stay at the meeting. That bit of knowledge freed the delegates to speak openly and honestly about a difficult and uncomfortable subject.

More meetings are planned, and Howie is hopeful.

"We came to a consensus about what needed to be worked on," he said.

Howie acknowledged that there are areas throughout the state where there is more tension, but he believes that rural counties can contribute to the solution.

"It was an honor to be asked and an honor to be there," Howie said.